Saturday's 19-6 win at Illinois State should be regarded as one of the most impressive wins by the Bulls at the Division I-AA level. UB is now 2-1 under Coach Craig Cirbus after the victory at ISU's Hancock Stadium in Normal, Ill. The Redbirds, Sports Illustrated's preseason top-20 selection, dropped to 1-2.

Two Bulls established school records in the win as linebacker Pete Conley forced four fumbles in the contest and kicker Gerald Carlson connected on four field goals in the game. Carlson's four field goals broke the old record of three in one game held by five players, most recently Mark Mozrall who connected on three at Towson State last season.

The game came down to a battle of field goal kickers as Carlson started the scoring with a 21-yarder four minutes into the first quarter. The Bulls went up 6-0 after recovering an Illinois State fumble as Carlson hit from 47 yards, longest of his career.

The Redbirds tied the game on a pair of field goals by Todd Kurz, the Gateway Conference's Special Teams Player of the Week. Kurz's 41 yarder in the first half made the score 6-6 as the teams headed to the locker rooms for halftime.

Carlson gave UB the lead for good with his third field goal, a 45-yarder in the third quarter. The Bulls picked up the only touchdown of the game with their hard hitting defense as Conley forced a fumble by ISU's Bill Hagman, which was scooped up by Ibrahim Giles at the ISU 31 and returned for the TD, giving the Bulls a 16-6 edge. Carlson tacked on the record-setting fourth field goal in the final minutes with a 25-yarder to make it 19-6.

"It was an outstanding effort, one of the truly great defensive games I've ever been around," said Cirbus. "Offensively, we did the things we needed to do in the second half to win the football game." The Bulls racked up 229 rushing yards holding the Redbirds to 40. UB's rush defense now stands second in Division I-AA allowing just 27.3 yards per game.

VOLLEYBALL

There was plenty of sweet volleyball action at the second annual Robert Morris College Volleyfest Tournament in Coraopolis, Pa. The Royals went 4-0 over the weekend to claim the championship and now hold a 9-3 record with Candie Hirst earning All-Tournament honors for the second year; Candi Sims also earned a spot on the All-Tournament squad.

UB knocked off Mid-Continent rival Chicago State 15-7, 15-2, 15-12 to open the tournament as Hirst led the team with seven kills. The Royals downed Howard in the nightcap Friday 15-11, 15-9, 9-15, 15-8 as Hirst collected 20 kills with 17 digs. Laurie Santelli also picked up double figures in kills (11) and digs (25) while Sims tallied 21 assists and four blocks.

Saturday, the Royals defeated the host Colonials 15-12, 15-13, 10-15, 15-8. Sims had 28 assists and 27 digs with Hirst adding 15 kills and 11 digs. Kathy Brinkworth collected 10 digs and five blocks. UB downed St. Francis of Pennsylvania in three games 15-13, 15-10, 15-3. Hirst was the only Royal in double figures for kills with 11 with Sims adding 17 assists.

After the Royals travel to Niagara midweek, they host a busy weekend at Alumni Arena with Mid-Con rival Missouri-Kansas City Friday. UB has a return meeting with St. Francis Saturday at 11 a.m., facing Loyola of Maryland at 7 p.m.

MEN'S SOCCER

The Bulls took it on the chin with a couple of disappointing losses at the Smith Barney/Reebok Classic at the University of Vermont over the weekend. UB dropped to 3-3 with a 2-0 loss to Vermont and 4-0 decision vs. New Hampshire. UB lost senior midfielder and captain Charles Kadiri, who suffered an arm fracture in the match vs. Vermont. Mike Bongino earned All-Tournament honors with his play. After hosting Niagara Wednesday, the Bulls tangle at Marist and Oneonta over the weekend.

WOMEN'S SOCCER

The Royals traveled to Michigan over the weekend downing Eastern Michigan 6-1 and tying Michigan 1-1. The Royals now stand at 3-1-1. After spotting the Eagles the opening goal, UB scored six unanswered tallies in the win over Eastern Michigan. Lori Perillo and Kelly Starchok found the net twice for the Royals; Annamaria Gasbarra and Jennifer Devita added single markers. Goalkeeper Nikki Pittaro stopped nine shots. In the match with the Wolverines, Pittaro established a UB record with 31 saves in the 1-1 tie. Both teams scored in the first half with Gasbarra picking up an unassisted goal.The Royals hit the road against Radford University Saturday and Virginia Tech Sunday.

CROSS COUNTRY

Chris Keenan broke his own course record but it wasn't enough as the Bulls finished second to University of Rochester at the UB Invitational Cross Country Meet at Akron Falls Park Saturday. Rochester tallied 37 points; UB finished second at 45 followed by Youngstown State (72), Western Ontario (73), St. Bonaventure (171), Colgate (140) and Fanshawe College (216). Keenan's time of 25:40.1 for the eight kilometers broke the old course record of 25:57.6 at last week's UB Open meet. The Royals finished third in the women's invitational with 60 points behind Western Ontario (23) and Colgate (59). Youngstown State was fourth at 95 and St. Bonaventure had 148. Janice Forsyth of Western Ontario won the race finishing in 18:00.7. UB's Judith Novak was second in 18:14.7. Both teams are in action again next weekend when they travel to the Western Ontario Invitational.

MEN'S TENNIS

The Bulls started their fall season with shutout wins over Canisius (7-0) and Niagara (7-0). Andrew Garber, playing number five singles for UB, "double bageled" both his opponents, winning both matches by identical 6-0, 6-0 scores. Bill Parks also scored a 6-0, 6-0 decision over Canisius' Dwayne Dewyea.

Ted Wasko, Sports Information Office